The Progressive Democrat Newsletter grew out of the frustration of the 2004 election. Originally intended for New York City progressives, its readership is now national. For anyone who wants to be alerted by email whenever this newsletter is updated (usually weekly), please send your email address and let me know what state you live in (so I can keep track of my readership).

MYTH: A “Taxpayer Bill of Rights,” or TABOR, would benefit Kansas taxpayers by forcing government to be more efficient.

FACT: TABOR is an ideological scam that has been floated for years, but so far only one state out of 50 – Colorado – has fallen for its too-good-to-be-true promises. The results there have been a disaster. In the 10 years since TABOR passed in Colorado, its ranking among the 50 states fell from 25th to 37th in high school graduation rates, according to the American Legislative Issue Campaign Exchange. Colorado highways deteriorated to the point that the American Society of Civil Engineers gave its roads a “barely passing” grade. Dollars and Sense Magazine reports: “According to David Bradley and Nicholas Johnson at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, between 1991 and 2003—a period in which the percentage of children who are uninsured declined nationally—the proportion of low-income children who lack health insurance in Colorado rose from 15% to 27%. Colorado now ranks 48th in its level of taxpayer support of colleges and universities, down from 35th in 1992.”

Now, Colorado Gov. Bill Owens, a Republican Conservative and one-time TABOR supporter, is leading a statewide campaign to suspend the law’s taxation and spending limits for five years to give the state’s economy an opportunity to recover from the damage TABOR has wrought.

MYTH: A “Taxpayer Empowerment Act,” or TEA, would help enforce the will of a majority of Kansas taxpayers and voters.

FACT:The TEA proposal floated by the Americans for Prosperity Foundation and State Rep. Brenda Landwehr would in fact allow a mere 40 percent of the electorate, or of the legislature, to block the will of the majority of voters or their representatives in the legislature. Under the TEA proposal Landwehr described to the Wichita Eagle, either 44 percent of legislators, or 41 percent of voters in a referendum, could veto a budget approved by the majority of voters and legislators. The small group obsessed with reducing any and all government spending could block the construction of prisons, the hiring of state troopers or emergency response measures for coping with tornadoes or floods.

Why are they pushing this dubious legislation? Because they know that a majority of responsible Kansans does not support their extreme anti-tax, anti-government philosophy, and they need the “minority veto” provision to exert their will over the majority.

Kansas Equality Coalition:The Kansas Equality Coalition is a unified statewide group of fair-minded people who are determined to end discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We seek to ensure the dignity, safety and legal equality of all Kansans.

For those who like combining social and political activities, there is Drinking Liberally:Drinking Liberally Lawrence, KS:# Every Tuesday of each month, 8:00 pm# Free State Brewing Company, 630 Massachusetts (Ask for our table at the front desk)

Electing Democrats at all levels of government. Here is what the Kansas Democratic Party stands for:

Kansas Democrats are committed to putting the people of Kansas first by promoting values and policies that advance the common good and expand opportunities for every resident of our state. Our core values call on us to make our state the best in the nation in which to live, work and raise a family, not just for ourselves, but for all Kansans.

Kansas Democrats strongly believe in and seek to protect the freedom of the individual, while at the same time believing we truly are all in this together, and, as such, we all have a duty to be active contributors to the life of our communities. As individuals, we fulfill that duty in different ways, be that through involvement in charities, religious institutions, schools, community organizations, or the political process.

Kansas Democrats believe that, as the expression of the democratic will of the people of Kansas, our government should serve all people and encourage their active participation in the political process regardless of their race, color, age, physical abilities, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Kansas Democrats also believe that government is at its best when it operates in the spirit of cooperation and compromise, rather than partisanship and enmity. We believe what brings us together is far stronger than what might push us apart, and therefore the opportunity to come together to advance the common good is always present.

The Kansas Democratic Party asks the people of Kansas to examine our tradition of leadership, of upholding core Kansas values, and of promoting expanded opportunities for every Kansan, and to then join is in moving our state forward to an even brighter tomorrow.

ACLU of Kansas and Western Missouri: The mission of the ACLU of Kansas and Western Missouri is to protect and defend the Constitutional rights and civil liberties of every individual in Kansas and Western Missouri regardless of creed, race, religion or other labeling through education, advocacy, and litigation. Learn more.

KANSAS NAACP Branches: Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. From the ballot box to the classroom, the thousands of dedicated workers, organizers, leaders and members who make up the NAACP continue to fight for social justice for all Americans.

NAACP Lawrence-Douglas County NAACP: Meetings for the NAACP Lawrence-Douglas County branch are held the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Gallery Room of the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont. The executive board will meet at 5:30 p.m. prior to the branch meeting.

Topeka, Kansas NAACP: The Topeka Unit NAACP, has played an important role in the history of our City, State, and Nation. The greatest victory for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People took place in part right here in Topeka, Kansas, the Brown v. Board of Education.

BIODIESEL STATIONS IN KANSAS:Biodiesel is clean, AMERICAN fuel that could be fueling many of our trains, trucks and diesel cars, as well as being used for heating fuel. All that while supporting American farmers, not Saudi oil shieks. Any diesel engine can use up to B20 fuel (20% biodiesel) and newer diesel engines can use up to B100 (100% biodiesel). Here are some fuel stations in Kansas:

The purpose of the SEKS Buying Club is to provide members with high quality natural foods, at a reasonable cost while creating a supportive network.

Our club consists of a great variety of different folks: those interested in bulk buying; vegetarians/vegans; special dietary needs such as wheat free or dairy free; and overall, people who want a better quality of healthy foods to choose from.